How to restore an earlier version or a deleted chapter in WriteWithPaige

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Open Version history

   In the chapter, tap ⋯ in the status bar under the page and choose “Version history”. For a Story Bible entry, tap “History” at the bottom of the entry.

   

2. 2

   Step 2: Preview a version

   Tap any version in the list. Its text shows on the right. Each one says what made it, such as “Autosave” or “Before suggestion”.

3. 3

   Step 3: Restore it

   Tap “Restore this version” and confirm. Your current text is saved to history first, so you can undo the restore.

4. 4

   Step 4: Name a version before a big change

   Tap “Save a version”, type a name in “Name it (optional)” (for example “Before cutting the flashback”) and tap “Save”.

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   Step 5: Bring back something you deleted

   At the bottom of the Chapters list or the Story Bible, tap “Recently deleted”, then “Restore”. This works for 30 days.

   

What the version labels mean

Snapshots are saved automatically as you write, and at key moments. The label tells you why each one exists. A version you named shows its name instead (or “Saved version” if you left the name blank).

"Save a version": your safety net before a big rewrite

Automatic snapshots roll over: a chapter keeps its newest 10, a Bible entry its newest 20. Named versions are kept apart from that, up to 20 per chapter or entry. So name a version whenever you are about to try something bold.

If you have unsaved typing when you tap “Save”, it is saved first, so the named version matches what is on your screen.

Restoring safely

Restoring never loses your current text. The app asks “Restore this version? Your current text is saved to history first, so you can undo this.” Say yes, and your current text becomes a “Before restore” version.

The preview shows the first part of a long version. That is just the preview. Restoring brings back the whole thing.

Story Bible entry history

Open an entry and tap “History” in the bar at the bottom. It is the same panel, with the same labels and “Save a version”. Use it when Paige updated an entry and you liked the old wording better, or when “Update automatically” changed something you wanted to keep.

"Recently deleted" for chapters and Bible entries

Deleting a chapter or a Bible entry is never instant and final. The confirm says you can bring it back from “Recently deleted” for 30 days.

The “Recently deleted” button sits at the bottom of the Chapters list, and at the bottom of the Story Bible for entries. Each row shows when it was deleted, the days left and its word count. Tap “Restore” for one, “Restore all” for everything, or “Open” to read it first. In a shared story, anyone writing it can restore, and each row says who deleted it.

• Notes are not kept: deleting a note is permanent.
• Uploaded files in the Files panel cannot be restored once deleted.
• Narration audio for a deleted chapter does not come back with it.
• Deleting a folder does not delete its chapters. They move to the top level.

Undo buttons and quick fixes

For small slips, you rarely need history at all.

Unsaved changes after a crash or closed tab

If the connection drops or the tab closes before a save, the editor keeps your words on that device. Next time you open the chapter there, a blue strip says “Unsaved changes found from” a time, with the word count, and asks “Restore them?”. Tap “Restore” or “Discard”.

This copy lives only on the device and browser you were using. Open the chapter on the same one to get it back. While the save label says “Saved locally”, leave the tab open; it keeps retrying until it says “Saved”.

Last resort: download a full backup

Go to Settings, then “Your Data”, then “Export Data”. Choose what to include (“Projects & Writing”, “Chat History”, “Muses”, “AI Memories”) and download a ZIP of Markdown files. It opens in any text editor, Scrivener or Google Docs.

Make one before a major rewrite, and every so often for peace of mind. To export a polished book (Word, EPUB, PDF), use Export instead.

Questions